MyDD :: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: And I'm Buying What Edwards is Selling

All Our Candidates are Salespeople: And I'm Buying What Edwards is Selling

by Feral Cat, Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 03:55:09 PM EST

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/ 06/07/edwards-tackles-are-we-safer-now/

Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards is set to hold a news conference in New York today to detail his own national security plan.

For six years, George Bush has hijacked the language of terrorism and used it to force through an ideological agenda that undermines our values and does nothing to undercut terrorism. ... by the Bush Administration's own admission, we are less safe today. Today, we know two unequivocal truths about the results of Bush's approach - there are more terrorists and we have fewer allies.

Senator Edwards continues:

We need a smart national security strategy to shut down terrorists, not a cynical political strategy to shut down debate. Here's mine:

First, I will strengthen our military to better address the threat posed by terrorist groups to the United States. I will strengthen our force structure, hold regular conferences with top military leadership so their advice isn't filtered, and give back military professionals control over major operational decisions. Second, I recognize what our military commanders have made clear - military action is only one of the tools we have to stop terrorism; we have to supplant the lure of violent extremism with the hope of education, opportunity, and prosperity. I will launch a sweeping global effort to provide education, fight poverty, increase democracy and create a 10,000-member strong "Marshall Corps," all to ensure that terrorism does not take root in weak and failing states.

I believe that every candidate for president, Republican and Democrat, understands that there are terrorists who mean us harm and must be stopped. To suggest otherwise is to do exactly what I have criticized the Administration for doing - reduce the fight against terrorists to a bumper sticker slogan and use it for political gain. Using fear as a wedge issue may help win elections, but it won't protect Americans ... we must come together, and cast fear aside."

If we consider all of our candidates to be salesmen and women, then I'm buying what Edwards is selling. He doesn't give you a shiny brochure promising you the ride of your life. He's giving us the repair manual or that "Missing Manual" for your operating system. He's not a father figure, but a brother who says that we all need to pitch in to fix this jalopy and turn it back into one fine driving machine.

UPDATE: Tracy Joan has posted a diary on dailykos.com. When asked about "the Meetings with Military Leadership....she commented:

The past few years have brought the biggest crisis in civil-military relations in a generation. The mismanagement of the Pentagon has been so severe that many of our most decorated retired officers are speaking out. As president, Edwards will institute regular, on-on-one meetings with top military leadership. He will also reinstate a basic doctrine of national security management that has been demolished by the Bush Administration: military professionals will have primary responsibility in matters of tactics and operations, while civilian leadership will have authority in all matters of broad strategy and political decisions.

That's what I mean by the "repair manual". Video and transcript should be up on the JEFP site soon. http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/6 /7/131733/8796

Tags: John Edwards, terrorism, economics (all tags)

Permalink :: 30 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: And I'm B (3.00 / 7)

Building things up and not tearing things down has been a theme of John Edwards since 2003. This is really smart and strikingly original. We need to build up our own military, not in terms of numbers but in terms of priorities. We must build the trust back that has been eroded over the years since the end of the Cold War. Smart stuff.

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by Feral Cat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 04:00:53 PM EST

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: And I'm B (3.00 / 7)

"We need a smart national security strategy to shut down terrorists, not a cynical political strategy to shut down debate."

That sums it up alright.

Check out the New Progressive Blog EENRBLOG

by dk2 on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 04:13:01 PM EST

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: And I'm B (3.00 / 3)

The "shut down debate" part is really critical. Conservatives of both parties like to stop the conversation that is vital for a democracy to survive.

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by Feral Cat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 04:20:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Shutting down debate: (none / 0)

that is exactly what they have tried to do when Edwards pointed out that Bush's GWOT amounted to no more than bumper sticker politics.

Virtually all I have heard or read in MSM about the wonderfully intelligent speech he gave at the Council of Foreign Relations (where he introduced this focus) is the misrepresentation that he does not acknowledge a danger by terrorists. I have to wonder if they are trying to provide an example of what he is talking about.

MSM's reaction to Hillary at the debate proclaiming that we are safer than before 9/11 because of the GWOT is also typical of this bumper sticker attitude shutting down debate. She got that haloed "I was in NY" look on her face that defied any patriotic person to disagree.

Edwards has been leading the way on policies in this campaign and now he seems determined to lead the way to making us think again.

by ashlarah on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 07:44:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shutting down debate: (none / 0)

lead the way to making us think again.

Asking us to think for ourselves. Start talking to each other again. Because when we are talking, we are not fighting each other.

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by Feral Cat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 07:58:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: (3.00 / 5)

Edwards is by far our best candidate running. Thanks for this post.

by RDemocrat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 04:53:28 PM EST

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: (none / 0)

Yes! and he has {gasp!} well thought out specific policies.

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:10:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: (none / 0)

Well if there all salespeople, I'm not buying what John is selling. He says:

We need a smart national security strategy to shut down terrorists, not a cynical political strategy to shut down debate. Here's mine:

First, I will strengthen our military to better address the threat posed by terrorist groups to the United States.

Terrorism is not primarily fought by the military so why is he going to them first? The whole problem with Bush and the GWOT slogan is it treats it as a military war. Terrorism gets stopped by sharing international intelligence and good police work. That's what makes us safer. Frankly, I'm shocked after making this whole bumper-sticker such an issue this is where he starts.

by dougdilg on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 05:26:54 PM EST

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: (3.00 / 3)

It's just smart and common sense to include the military officers in figuring out how they should be used in protecting the U.S. from attacks. The officers that resigned, quit because they were continually ignored. But I sure agree that we spend way too much on the so-called military budget. But we can't fix it without input from the officers.

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by Feral Cat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 06:27:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

He isn't (none / 0)

follow the links if you care to

by okamichan13 on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 08:36:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople: (none / 0)

Doug - you're nitpicking - and apparently aren't aware of Edwards' proposals.

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:11:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nitpicking? (none / 0)

I'm just responding to the diary. He says we "need a smart national security strategy to shut down terrorists, not a cynical political strategy to shut down debate" and then proceeds outline this stategy in military terms. This isn't that much different from Bush's approach to what really is an International intelligence and police force battle. The people he should be meeting with is the CIA and FBI and making sure we are interfacing with the intelligence communities of our Allies throughout the world. To me the approach is surprising and not all that far from the justification of being in Iraq to fight Al Qaida. The Global War on Terrorism is real but it is not, as Bush tries to make it, a military war to be fought by the Pentagon. Maybe what is excerpted in the diary is misleading.

by dougdilg on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 01:40:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the whole speech (none / 0)

Link to Tracy Russo's diary from yesterday with the complete speech
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/6 /7/132713/8927

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by Feral Cat on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 11:37:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Read the whole speech (none / 0)

Okay, I read the whole speech. I hate to be redundant but it's pretty disappointing. I would have highlighted a different paragraph than this diary for its goal, which is well articulated:

The Bush Terror Doctrine actually misunderstands the problem and fails to offer an effective long term solution. This is not a war against a fixed enemy at specific locations that we can defeat just through a constant military operation. And because its origins are political and ideological, it leads to decisions imposed on the military that are sloppy, ill-defined and poorly focused, losing sight of the real mission, which is to protect Americans.

That is fine, but his plan is pretty weak. It is:

1. "strengthen our military so that we can better address the threat that is posed by terrorist groups...strengthen our force structure...hold regular conferences with my top military leadership...give back military professionals control over operational decisions."

2. "supplant the lore of violent extremists with the hope of education, opportunity and prosperity...launch a global--a sweeping global effort to provide education and fight poverty...create a 10,000-member-strong Marshall Corps, all to ensure that terrorism does not take root in weak and failing states."

Nothing wrong with those two points, but that's it? What is his plan regarding the Intelligence community and our integration with other countries throughout the world? Our biggest immediate threat comes from Muslim extremists who have concerns which go beyond just education, opportunity, and prosperity. What are his specifics on how to deal with the Palestine issue and the global take-over of Middle East Oil, specifically in Iraq?

This is being sold here as a major address. It's not. It is a brief statement, or at least I hope it is because the problem is a lot more complex than what he offers here.

by dougdilg on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 01:54:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I like what he sells, but (none / 0)

I feel more confident about a candidate who has had the same progressive values and acted on them since he was a teenager.

The history of the left is a history of purists betraying the progressive movement so that they can feel good about their righteous selves.

by Populism2008 on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 05:55:33 PM EST

Re: I like who he is too (3.00 / 5)

I believe that John Edwards was hardwired for justice. His core beliefs lie in his belief in the tenets of liberalism. That all Americans are entitled to live free and pursue their own ideas of happiness. But with those freedoms come responsibility both personal and public. Goverment is there to reward those who work and to protect its citizens from those who would abuse them.

The first smart thing he did as a young man was fall in love with Elizabeth. Then he became a plaintiff's lawyer and chose tough cases. He then turned to public service. He has grown in clarity and in conviction. In 2004, the Portland Main Herald called him the "most mature" of the candidates. In other words, his candidacy was not a needy one. It was not about him, it was about us. It was about rewarding work over unearned wealth. And the same holds true for this campaign.
I like that he is not a career politician but seems to have been called to become a citizen statesman. And I like that he just gets more and more liberal with each passing week. Now that's a real progression.

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by Feral Cat on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 07:39:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I like who he is too (none / 0)

Exceedingly well-put :)

by NicholasWalter on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 07:43:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I like who he is too (3.00 / 1)

I prefer a plaintiffs' attorney in the White House vs. a corporate attorney like Hillary.

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:08:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I like who he is too (none / 0)

A lot of Hillary's law career was advocating for children.

"And so in the place of the palace of privilege, we seek to build a temple out of faith and hope and charity."-FDR

by jallen on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 12:29:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I like who he is too (none / 0)

>>>his candidacy was not a needy one. It was not about him, it was about us.

Exactly!! I support Edwards because of his policies and solutions. Hillary and Obama supporters are mesmerized by their candidates - who've basically released statements about issues facing our nation - but few, if any, solutions!

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 11:24:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I like what he sells, but (3.00 / 1)

And you're certainly entitled to that view; I'm not going to knock it.

I'm just more compelled by Edwards' vision and policy proposals.

by NicholasWalter on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 07:42:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Maybe you should read Four Trials (3.00 / 2)

and think about why the son of a mill worker raised in a small rural town in South Carolina decided to go to law school and become a trial lawyer.

He learned his values as a child of the rural working class and followed up on that to defend those values, as a lawyer or politician fighting for those without power or affluence.

Personally, I feel pretty damn confident.

by okamichan13 on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 08:41:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Maybe you should read Four Trials (3.00 / 1)

There seems to be something about Edwards backround that helps him remember being on the working family spectrum. It is an important part of who he is today.

Check out the New Progressive Blog EENRBLOG

by dk2 on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 09:04:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Maybe you should read Four Trials (3.00 / 0)

If you are right that means we have two candidates with great backgrounds running for the Dem nomination. Good to know!

The history of the left is a history of purists betraying the progressive movement so that they can feel good about their righteous selves.

by Populism2008 on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 07:20:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: (1.00 / 2)

His "bumper sticker" schtick is already getting "old." Soon, his "it's a bumper sticker" will be on a bumper sticker.

by reasonwarrior on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:25:00 PM EST

Re: (none / 0)

It appears your thinking reflects a media success.

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:45:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: All Our Candidates are Salespeople (3.00 / 1)

Apparently, there are others who agree with Edwards that global poverty fuels terrorism and is a threat to our security....

Step One
By Ken Herman | Thursday, June 7, 2007, 11:17 AM

Here comes another effort to move an issue to the 2008 front burner.

Two former Senate majority leaders, one from each party, will launch the ONE Vote `08 campaign on Monday. Ex-Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and ex-GOP Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee are co-chairs of what the group pitches as an "unprecedented, bipartisan, high-tech, high-energy campaign to mobilize voters and engage U.S. presidential candidates to make the fight against global poverty and disease a key foreign policy and security issue at the 2008 ballot box."

Formal launch will be Monday in Washington. The former leaders will be joined at the event by actress Ashley Judd, GOP strategist Jack Oliver, retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones and others.

The group claims the backing of "over 100 of the nation's leading relief, humanitarian, religious and advocacy organizations."

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/conte nt/shared-blogs/washington/washington/en tries/2007/06/07/step_one.html

Hillary/Obama08

by annefrank on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 11:43:38 PM EST

Re: NY Times Weighs in on Edwards on Guiliani (none / 0)

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/08/us/pol itics/08campaign.html?_r=1&oref=slog in

Guiliani is such a meglomaniac and a fraud. It's always all about him.

"The Democrats are ignoring terrorism," he said. "When I lived through Sept. 11, and I don't just mean the day, I mean a period of time, I was at the center of it," he said, adding that he was warned repeatedly that another attack was probably unavoidable.

So now though he's buying into the "we have to fight 'em over there so they don't come over here."

"But here is the reality," Mr. Giuliani said. "The reality is we haven't been attacked. And I have to tell you this truthfully. I did not think that was possible."

We made up the concept of Al Qaeda and now it's a franchise. The nutty JFK airport so-called terror plot is an example of this. It's like they sent away for a terrorist start up kit from "Dunkin Terrorist". "Yes, you too can blow things up like Osama bin Laden. Just $9.95 will get you everything you need to dream up your own terror plot."

No, there are real scary people out there. There always have been. I remember in the 1970's and 1980's being terrified of being blown up or machine gunned in the airport terminals. Terrorists were throwing old men in wheelchairs off cruise ships.
But we managed to hunt most of them down. That's what we've always done. Hunt them down, not invade countries.

If you like George Bush, you will love Guiliani.

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by Feral Cat on Fri Jun 08, 2007 at 11:52:07 AM EST

Team Edwards (none / 0)

Right on. I recommended this I thought this is so good. Any Edwards supporters, or anybody for that matter, should feel free to check out Team Edwards at...

http://teamedwards08.blogspot.com/

For the first time in a long time the Democrat who best represents our values is also the most electable. Join Team Edwards - http://teamedwards08.blogspot.com/

by Team Edwards on Sat Jun 09, 2007 at 09:15:35 AM EST

And how about that warranty! (none / 0)

Edwards includes with this package the best health warranty. 8 years of universal heathcare starting as soon as he gets in office.

I also like that you can kick the tires on each of his plans for fighting terrorism, fighting pollution, fighting for a heathy workforce, fighting poverty. With poverty, he has ideas like college for everyone and work bonds and housing vouchers.
He's the kind of salesman that goes to the factory and watches how the car or the refrigerator or computer is put together. He talks to the people working on the front lines.

I'm not sure How much farther I can go with this particular metaphor. But it was fun.

Join the Feral Cats of Freedom Coughing Up Hairballs of Truth in the Montana Underbrush

by Feral Cat on Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 02:19:29 PM EST

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